SANDPOINT — There is something magical about Christmas trees — the twinkling lights, the festive colors and ornaments that document the story of Christmases past, present and future.

According to factretriever.com (an interesting site with tons of cool trivia), the first artificial Christ-mas tree was created by the Ger-mans out of dyed goose feathers. The site also notes that the first Christmas trees were sold in the United States around 1850 and the average Christmas tree grows for 15 years before it finds a home in your living room.

According to the website, there are two competing claims as to which president was the first to place a Christmas tree in the White House. Some say Franklin Pierce was the first in 1856; others contend Benjamin Harrison brought in the first tree in 1889. However, Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist, banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1901, factretriever.com notes.

The first person to decorate a Christmas tree, according to the website was likely Protestant reformer Martin Luther, who according to legend, was so moved by the beauty of the stars shining between a fir tree’s branches, he brought home an evergreen tree and decorated it with candles to share the image with his children.

Since the first printed reference to a Christmas tree in Germany in 1531, Christmas trees have become increasingly popular. And now, the website notes, approximately 30-35 million living Christmas trees are sold each year in the United Stats.

You, too, can join in the simple pleasure of a Christmas tree AND help the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots drive at the same time.

Thanks to a generous local Christmas tree farm, the Lions recently received 30 grand fir Christmas trees to sell, with proceeds to benefit the Lions’ Toys for Tots program. The tree range between 5-feet and 7-feet tall and are being sold for $20 to $25 depending on the size.

They are at the Lions Den and can be picked up for purchase on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. All proceeds go to Toys for Tots.

Today, the Lions have received $905 in donations, bringing the total for this year to 11,907.17. Today’s generous donations come from: anonymous, $35; Jack and Janice DeBaun, $100; anonymous, $40; Deanna James and Melinda Stearns, $30; Debra Moy and Steven Hein, $250; anonymous, $200; and Wood’s Meat Processing, Inc., $250.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between. A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided.

Those who need help this year can apply at the Lions Den, 607 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint (west of Memorial Field next to the Bonner County Historical Museum.)

The Lions Den will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 19, so members can accept applications. Applications also are available at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office.

If you have any questions about Toys for Tots sign-up, call Judy Dabrowski, 208-290-5314.

Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Donations also can be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID, 83864

You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Kootenai Cutoff Road.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.